Stomp-box compressors

[Stride000]

Hi there.

Before I start, I read the sticky about compressors and did a search but still miss some insight as to what's best for my situation.

I've been looking at different compressors lately and tried a few but nothing satisfying.

I play fingerstyle pop/rock and I love my sound (big, warm, fat and punchy) and my kit as it is but there are just a couple things I'd like to fine tune. What I need in a compressor is one that will be used live to even out and or compansate for the lower volume level of the D and G strings around the 5th - 7th fret. I also want for a compressor to add overall sustain.

What's really important is it has to be transparent as I don't want to loose any punch / attack that I already have in my sound nor want to add any treble or mids.

I tried the Dynacomp and that's exactly what I disliked about it, it killed the punch, removed the bass and added mids to the sound. I also looked into the Keeley and the AnalogMan but they tend to be used as an effect which I don't necessarily want.

Now I'm considering the EBS Multicomp but I'm still not certain it's the best choice though it is said to be completely analog. I have the feeling it'll turn my sound synthetic, cold or sterile. This is just an impression though, maybe cause the design looks a bit like Hartke LOL.

Anyway, what are you guys suggesting?

Forward thanks!

 

[Willem]

i like the multicomp. I feel it does the opposite of what you think it'll do. No attack loss, good sustain and no tonekiller at all.

 

[d-basser]

I have heard good things of the Aphex Punch Factory but i aint actually tried it.

 

[lomer]

The Punch Factory is sweet, mine finally arrived last week and I love it.... It's the icing on the cake for my pedalboard....

 

[bongomania]

The Demeter Compulator often gets mentioned as especially transparent, but I haven't had the opportunity to try it myself yet.

 

[Stride000]

Thanks for your responses.

I'll go and try the EBS tonight.

As for the Demeter, not available here in Canada, well except in the far west so I'll forget this one.

 

[Jim Carr]

I love the NYC tech21 Basscompactor. I tried the EBS, too, which is
good, but was a lot more costly (may be an exchange rate thing).

The tech21 is great with my passive basses, as it has a fine preamp in
it with EQ. It is quiet and easy to use. I used mine for 3 straight years
of gigs with a 10 piece soul band, my P-bass, a Goliath II 4x10, a son-
of-bertha 1x15, and an SWR head. That rig had serious bootie, even at
only 350 watts rms into a 4 ohm load.

While I keep my bass set up to deliever a good balance between strings,
the compressor did even out the levels between strings even more,
but moreover brought the overall level of the instrument up by helping
me play closer to the edge of the SWR limiter, which I keep engaged.

Disclaimers: YMMV, and compression sucks, as we all know.

It find it is possible to get "endless" sustain with this compressor. I
never thought I would use that, but oddly enough, that has turned out
to be useful for some recording I did recently.

I have also used it with my Jazz and with my Laklands. I must admit that
it is not as easy to use with an active bass, because the pre-amp in the
stomp box will clip if over-driven. That is not hard to fix as long as
you remember not to crank your onboard pre beyond the clip point.

If you can, try the EBS and the tech21 side by side. That is what I did.

 

[bongomania]

Say Jim, that's a mighty helpful review. Would you mind copying it into the "Compressor Reviews" thread as well?

 

[Nyarlathotep]

The Punch Factory is sweet, mine finally arrived last week and I love it.... It's the icing on the cake for my pedalboard....

I have 2!!!

 

[Stride000]

Nice review indeed Jim and very insightful info.

I went to the Tech 21 website and it says it's discontinued. Maybe there are some still available in stores.

Anyway, I A/B'd the EBS and Punch Factory and found that the Punch factory was colouring the sound. Not a whole lot but still, not transparent enough for me.

I was really impressed with the EBS and will give it a second run with my bass this time and will try to check for the tech 21 as well.

 

[Jim Carr]

Nice review indeed Jim and very insightful info.
I went to the Tech 21 website and it says it's discontinued. Maybe there are some still available in stores...

Thanks for the kind words....Bongomania asked me to add to the compressor reviews, maybe now
it is a sort of obiturary...I had heard it might be discontinued.

I hope they are going to start integrating that compression circuit into
their other pre-amps.

The EBS is very good. I would have probably
gotten it if the price were lower.

Good luck!